The Agenda of Erosion: Understanding Trump’s Second Term
Donald Trump’s second presidential term has begun with a stark and troubling clarity: his priorities are the unraveling of America’s democratic institutions and the advancement of Russia’s interests. From empowering Elon Musk and his allies within the federal government to menacing Canada and European allies, Trump’s actions are not random but part of a deliberate strategy. This strategy, familiar to anyone who has studied the decline of democracies, reflects a playbook used by authoritarian leaders to consolidate power and dismantle accountability. What is unfolding in the U.S. mirrors the rise of Vladimir Putin in Russia at the turn of the 21st century, where democracy was eroded systematically under the guise of legitimate leadership.
Russia’s Model of Power: A Historical Perspective
When Putin ascended to power in Russia, he exploited the fragile state of post-Soviet democracy. With the tacit acceptance of Western leaders, he transformed Russia into a mafia state, where oligarchs and political elites wielded unaccountable power. Elections became a sham, and opposition was crushed. While American democracy is far stronger than Russia’s was in the late 1990s, the warnings of democratic erosion cannot be dismissed. The events of January 6, 2021, and the continued assault on democratic norms under Trump’s leadership have silenced many who once believed “it can’t happen here.” The parallels between Putin’s rise and Trump’s actions are ominous, and the once-unthinkable is now unfolding in plain sight.
The Trump-Russia Connection: A Dangerous Liaison
Trump’s affinity for authoritarian leaders like Putin, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has been evident since his first term. His admiration for these strongmen is driven by envy of their unchecked power and ability to silence dissent. The Russian government, particularly its intelligence and propaganda apparatus, has played a pivotal role in promoting Trump’s political rise. From the hacked emails released through WikiLeaks during the 2016 election to the extensive cooperation between Russian assets and the Trump campaign, as detailed in the Mueller Report, the ties are undeniable. The appointment of Paul Manafort, a figure deeply connected to Ukrainian and Russian interests, as Trump’s campaign chair only amplified these suspicions. Manafort’s later guilty plea for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and Trump’s pardon of him further fueled concerns about collusion.
Elon Musk and the Rise of American Oligarchy
Elon Musk, the world’s richest private citizen, has emerged as a key figure in Trump’s second term. Musk’s promotion of Kremlin-friendly candidates in Europe and his attacks on Ukraine are not coincidental but part of a broader pattern. In post-Soviet Russia, oligarchs like Boris Berezovsky manipulated the political system to amass wealth and power, and Putin consolidated control by co-opting or eliminating these figures. Today, the U.S. is witnessing a similar dynamic, with private power exerting unprecedented influence over public institutions. Musk’s involvement in shaping foreign policy and domestic governance raises alarms about the erosion of democratic accountability and the rise of a Putin-style “power vertical.”
Global Implications: The World in Jeopardy
The consequences of Trump’s pro-Russian agenda extend far beyond U.S. borders. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and its escalation in 2022 were met with international condemnation, but under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. has increasingly aligned itself with Putin’s objectives. The abandonment of Ukraine, the lifting of sanctions on Russia, and the weakening of NATO are all part of a strategy to leave Europe vulnerable and Putin unchecked. Meanwhile, global threats like Chinese expansionism, Iranian-backed attacks, and North Korean involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine have created a dangerous geopolitical landscape. Trump’s policies are not only empowering dictators but also destabilizing the international order.
The Road Ahead: Stopping the Putinization of America
The urgency of Trump and Musk’s actions is a warning sign. They are racing to dismantle democratic institutions and consolidate power before they can be held accountable. This is not the behavior of leaders who expect to lose power but of those who are willing to do whatever it takes to retain it. The Putinization of America—marked by cronyism, centralization of authority, and the erosion of accountability—must be stopped. While the exact reasons behind Trump’s loyalty to Putin and Musk’s support for Russian interests may never be fully understood, the consequences of inaction are clear. The fight to preserve American democracy is not just about resisting authoritarianism but about ensuring that power remains in the hands of the people, not unaccountable elites. The time to act is now, before the damage becomes irreversible.